On January 9^th, the Center City Residents’ Association (CCRA) issued its first newsletter of 2025, which included a section regarding the recent City Council Bill 240657, an amendment to the city’s Traffic Code which prohibits “stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle in a bicycle lane and [increases] monetary penalties for illegally stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle in a bicycle lane.” According to the newsletter, CCRA’s newly created Spruce/Pine Bike Lanes Task Force, along with other CCRA representatives, had recently met with the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) as well as representatives of the office of City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who represents Philadelphia’s District 2.

In this meeting, CCRA proposed “a possible carve-out for the Spruce/Pine bike lanes from the city-wide no-stopping-in-bike-lanes legislation.” According to the newsletter, “they (CCRA) were assured that the Parking Authority would not be issuing tickets to any passenger vehicle temporarily stopped in the bike lanes for the purpose of loading or unloading, provided that the vehicle was attended by the driver.” This potential “carve-out” was met with positive reactions from those who support the “historical practice of permitting temporary stopping” in the Spruce/Pine bike lanes, according to CCRA.

However, a statement provided by Vincent Thompson, Communications Director for the office of Council President Johnson, contradicts the information provided in the CCRA newsletter. According to Thompson, “Council President Johnson remains fully committed to this legislation, which prioritizes the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. There has [sic] been no plans to modify or amend Bill 240657, and stopping and parking in bike lanes will remain prohibited. No exceptions or carve-outs will be made, as such changes would contradict the bill’s purpose.” CCRA Executive Vice President and Director of Communications Richard Vaughn declined to comment on the matter.

The confusion regarding the implementation of Bill 240657 may be attributed to a delay in replacing signage on the affected blocks of Spruce and Pine; current signage explicitly prohibits parking, but not stopping or standing, in bike lanes. Martin O’Rourke, a media representative for the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) issued the following clarifying statement: “If someone were to pull over into a bike lane and the vehicle is occupied, the operator of the vehicle would be instructed by the PPA parking enforcement officer to move his/her vehicle.  If the vehicle is still in that location when the PEO returns during his/her rotation, then a ticket will be issued.”

According to the Streets Department, preparations are underway to replace the outdated signage on Spruce and Pine, as well as throughout the city, clarifying the new policies in regards to parking, stopping, and standing in bike lanes. After the signage has been replaced, the PPA will begin immediately issuing tickets to offenders. OTIS has also announced plans to add supplemental safety measures for bike lanes, including concrete barriers, although it is not currently known when construction will begin.

Bike lane safety, especially in the section of Spruce and Pine between Broad Street and the Schuylkill River, has long been a contentious issue, but debates have intensified since the tragic death of pediatric doctor Barbara Friedes, who was struck by a car in July 2024 while riding her bicycle on Spruce Street near Rittenhouse Square.  The driver, Michael Vahey, was under the influence of alcohol and was driving at more than double the posted speed limit. Vahey has since been charged with homicide by vehicle, among other charges.

In the months since Friedes’ unfortunate passing, bicycle advocacy groups such as the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Philly Bike Action have circulated petitions, staged protests, and taken various other actions to raise awareness and appeal to City Council for greater protections for bikers in the city. However, other individuals and groups have pushed back against these reforms, concerned that drivers in Center City will suffer as a result of increased prioritization of bikers. Residents of Center City have expressed fear that measures such as Bill 240657 may increase traffic and make it more difficult for residents and business owners to load and unload materials from their vehicles.

Despite any controversy, City Council and organizations such as CCRA have stated that they are committed to ensuring public safety. Although debates over the implementation of additional safety measures will likely endure for the foreseeable future, continued advocacy by impacted groups and residents will ensure that all voices will be heard by the bodies responsible for keeping Philadelphians safe.